Honolulu, HI: The Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) received notice at 12:55p today from the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) Clean Water Branch that a second round of samples from the Waiahole Water System tested NEGATIVE for the presence of fecal coliform or E. coli
“We’re absolutely thrilled to lift the Boil Water Notice at this time,” said Acting Executive Director Janice Takahashi. “We’re not sure what caused the initial positive results, it could have been a contaminated sample container, but I am proud of the way HHFDC staff, our partners at the Department of Health, and our contractors at Doonwood, worked to get the word out to residents, identify and resolve any problems.”
Doonwood Engineering operates the Waiahole Water System which is owned by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. The water system was constructed in 1989 and has wells capable of supplying 1.15 millions of gallons of water per day.
”RESPONSE TIMELINE”
June 20
– Routine, monthly testing of the Waiahole Water System came back
negative for the presence of any harmful bacteria.
July 25
– A chlorine pump serving one of two Waiahole Water System wells
failed.
– Water samples were collected and sent to the Department of Health
(DOH) labs, in compliance with monthly testing requirements and state
regulations.
July 26
– Samples taken June 25 tested positive for the presence of fecal
coliform bacteria, an indicator for the presence of E. coli bacteria.
– Doonwood Engineering and the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development
Corporation were notified by the DOH of the test results between 3 and 5
p.m.
– Consistent with state regulations and protocol, water holding tanks
were treated with chlorine and water pipes flushed to remove any
contaminated water.
July 27
– In compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations,
Doonwood Engineering and HHFDC staff went door to door in Waiahole Valley
from 10 a.m. to noon, delivering boil water notices.
– Again, consistent with state regulations and protocol, all water
holding tanks were treated with chlorine and water pipes flushed to remove
contaminated water.
– Samples were collected from throughout the water system to determine
how and where any bacteria entered the water supply.
– Additional samples were collected throughout the day to determine
whether the water was potable.
– Replacement chlorine pumps were ordered from the mainland and are
scheduled to be installed over the weekend.
July 28
– HHFDC was notified that all samples collected on July 27 tested
negative for the presence of fecal coliform or E.coli bacteria.
– All clear notices are issued to the residents of Waiahole by Doonwood
Engineering.
”’Adrienne Gardner is the Housing Information Specialist for The Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) for 677 Queen Street, Suite 300, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813”’